Caol Ila Cask Strength

Picked this up as part of a set of three 200ml bottles at an auction. I had wanted to try this discontinued expression as well as revisit the 18 so it gave me a great opportunity to do that. Since I figure this is ostensibly meant to represent a cask strength version of the 12 year old (in that they each represent a different strength version of

Caol Ila Cask Strength, Islay Single Malt, 60.1% ABV

Minutia: Enjoyed neat in a glencairn. Compared to the standard 12 year.

Color: Deep gold; 0.8.

Nose: Peaty smoke. Citrusy, medicinal brine. After this, it brings out a creaminess in the 12 year, though this has it a bit more after returning to it.

Taste: Salty, medicinal peat with some pepper/spice. Earthy and ashy after a bit. The 12 has a bit of a doughier quality.

Finish: Spicy at first into ashy smoke. There’s a sweetness to the smoke, but it’s not obvious. Long. The 12 feels similar but not as long-lasting.

It’s pretty nice. It’s got a kick to it, and if you want that I think it’s preferable to the 12, but if you’re in the mood for something more subtle this is a bit punchy.

Score: 82